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One story every day to make sense of the world

Tortoise Media


    • Apr 20, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 7m AVG DURATION
    • 1,347 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sensemaker

    Why do Reform councillors keep quitting the party?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 9:23


    Reform councillors are quitting more than any other party. What is behind the trend and how will it impact the local elections?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Clip Credit: BBC Politics Midlands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Who really revealed Banksy's identity?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 7:29


    For years, many people have claimed to know the identity of Banksy, the anonymous British street artist. Now a recent report claims to have finally unmasked him. Could this cause his work to lose some of its value? Writer: Seun MatilukoProducer: Seun MatilukoHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are beta blockers so popular?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 7:24


    Data reveals that young women in the UK are increasingly being prescribed beta blockers. What is behind the trend?Read more here - ‘Magic pill' beta blocker prescriptions for teenage girls rise 90% in a decadeWriter: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is Israel continuing to attack Lebanon?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2026 7:36


    As talks between Israel and Lebanon get underway in Washington, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli troops in southern Lebanon to say that the fighting will continue.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The downfall of Europe's great populist

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2026 10:10


    Viktor Orbán built one of Europe's most entrenched political systems and still lost. What does Hungary's election result tell us about how populists can be beaten?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Madeleine Parr Host: Casey Magloire Clip Credit: Sky News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    We're losing the race to save the emperor penguin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 6:47


    The International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed emperor penguins in the endangered species list with some predicting they could be extinct by the end of the century. Can anything be done to halt their decline?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Jonathan LewisEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt RussellClips: CBS News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    US vs. China: the new space race

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 7:13


    Tomorrow morning Artemis II will splash down off the coast of San Diego. What's next for the $90 billion space programme's plan to put a human back on the moon?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Madeleine Parr Host: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt RussellClips: CNN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Will the US-Iran ceasefire hold?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 8:53


    Barely an hour before President Donald Trump's Tuesday deadline to obliterate Iran and its infrastructure, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.Host: Jonathan LewisWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Jonathan LewisEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are art heists on the rise?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 5:55


    Over the past two years, there have been major thefts from galleries and museums in the Netherlands, France and Italy. So what's happening?This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is shared ownership housing really an affordable option?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 7:28


    Why some people in shared home ownership schemes don't feel they're as affordable as they seem.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Matt RussellHost: Ada BaruméThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is the Iran War dividing MAGA?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2026 9:04


    Is the war in Iran impacting MAGA support for Donald Trump, if so, why? Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey Magloire Host: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Clip credit: The Economist, NBC news, Forbes Breaking News, CNN and MS NowThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How is the Iran war affecting our cost of living?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 6:51


    The impact of the war in Iran is being felt around the world. But how is it affecting the UK? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettClip from NBC News.This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The economics of K-pop and BTS

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 9:27


    The world's biggest boyband are back from their hiatus and set to go on a 82-date tour, but what impact will their return to the spotlight have on the Korean economy? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettClips from 9 News Australia, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC News, Asia One News, Channel News Asia, 7NEWS Australia, Bloomberg News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are war crimes happening in the Iran war?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 9:00


    Several leading figures have come out and warned both sides in the Iran war could be at risk of committing war crimes. But what does this mean?Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Matt RussellProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are Meta and Google liable for social media addiction?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 8:37


    Social media companies have largely avoided responsibility for the impact their products have on people's lives. But a new court ruling may change that.Host: Andrew ButlerWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettClips used in the episode were from The New York Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What's behind changes to the abortion law in England and Wales?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2026 8:27


    The House of Lords has voted to stop criminalising women for late term abortions. What will this mean for women in England and Wales? Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Cuba Donald Trump's next target?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 8:19


    As Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, the island is facing fuel shortages, economic collapse and mass emigration. Will this mean regime change in the communist country? Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Credits: The New York Times, The New Yorker and WNYC Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are AI chatbots encouraging violence?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2026 7:47


    Two lawsuits allege that artificial intelligence chatbots, like ChatGPT, have encouraged people to commit harm not just to themselves, but to others. Reporter: Patricia ClarkeWriter: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why did Scotland reject assisted dying?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2026 9:31


    Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland have been narrowly rejected, just as similar efforts across the UK begin to stall.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt RussellSome clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why has the Middle East conflict spread to Lebanon?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 7:53


    After the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, Lebanon's Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel. As the conflict intensifies, what is life like for civilians on the ground? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Meningitis outbreak: How serious is it?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2026 8:29


    The UK Health Security Agency has declared an urgent public health alert following a meningitis outbreak in Kent that has left two young people dead.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettSome clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Anthropic vs the Pentagon: who decides how AI is used?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 7:22


    Last week, Anthropic entered a legal battle with the US government after refusing to comply with terms related to the military use of its AI. As a result, the company is being cast as the “good guy” in the AI race - but is that reputation deserved?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt RussellCredits: Slate, The New York Times, ABC News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are Iranian footballers refusing asylum?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2026 6:43


    On the 9th March, five members of the Iranian national women's football team were granted asylum by the Australian government, but only two of them want to accept the offer. Writer: Poppy BullardReporter: Jessy Parker HumphreysProducer: Poppy Bullard and Matt RussellHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Mandelson files: How much did Starmer know?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 9:39


    The government has released the first batch of documents linked to Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US. What's in them?Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to win an Oscar

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2026 9:31


    The finale of this year's awards season takes place this Sunday, with Hollywood's biggest stars gathering in LA for the 98th Academy Awards - also known as the Oscars. But how do Oscar campaigns impact who wins a golden statue? Writer, producer and Host: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    War in the Middle East: How bad is the economic shock?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2026 8:30


    As conflict continues in the Middle East, oil and gas prices have soared. What could that mean for the UK economy? Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What went wrong at BrewDog?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 7:22


    BrewDog was once the craft beer industry's loudest voice. But last week it was sold to a US company, leaving nearly 500 people out of work. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What does Britain's immigration shake-up mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2026 7:30


    The Home Secretary has announced a radical overhaul of the UK's asylum and immigration system. What is the government actually proposing?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How are Dubai's influencers reacting to conflict in the Middle East?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 9:45


    The influencer capital of the world has been the target of Iranian missiles as conflict has spread across the Middle East. How has it changed the content they post? Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Ada BaruméEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are there mixed messages about why the US attacked Iran?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 9:37


     President Trump has offered a range of explanations and justifications for the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in the past few days. Why are there mixed messages? Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why are maternity services in England in crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2026 8:42


    An independent inquiry has revealed the scale - of inadequacy in NHS maternity and neonatal services in England – and the devastating emotional and psychological consequences suffered by families. After a series of scandals, what is the state of maternity care in the country?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Who's the man behind looksmaxxing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 7:51


    The man known as ‘Clavicular' has become the face of ‘looksmaxxing'. But where did this internet phenomenon come from?Watch Ben Zand's new documentary ‘Why Men Rent Girlfriends (Darker Than You Think)' HERE.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada BaruméExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What does the bombing of Iran mean for the Middle East?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 8:55


    The US and Israel's strikes on Iran have triggered a conflict which is rapidly spreading across the Middle East. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What does the killing of a cartel boss mean for Mexico?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 8:42


    The man known as ‘El Mencho' headed up one of the world's most powerful cartels. What does his killing by the Mexican military mean for the country? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why did the BBC broadcast a racial slur at the Baftas?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 9:18


    How the fallout from a racial slur at this year's Bafta awards might change the public's perception of Tourette's syndrome.Writer: Casey Magloire and Amalie SortlandProducer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How a mountaineer's death could change climbing forever

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 8:42


    The case of the Austrian climber who was found guilty of manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, has captivated the world's media. Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why is youth unemployment in the UK rising?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 6:33


    Youth unemployment in the UK is now higher than the European Union average for the first time since records began. Why are young people finding it so hard to get a job? Writer and producer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper CorbettThis episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Russia's war with Ukraine: four years on

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026 10:28


    Today, four years after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war shows no sign of ending.Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Poppy BullardEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is the one-in-one-out asylum policy with France working?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 6:18


    The UK one-in-one-out deal with France to deter migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats entered into force last year. Since then, the deal has faced a number of legal challenges. Has the scheme been a success?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What does Andrew's arrest mean for the royal family?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 8:17


    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as prince Andrew, has become the first member of the royal family since Charles I. Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Ada BaruméEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Canada doing enough to stop gun violence?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 8:53


    After the deadly mass shooting at a school in British Columbia last week, gun control in Canada is under scrutiny.Host: Ada BaruméWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Jess SwinburneEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Poppy Bullard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The drug 500 times as strong as heroin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 6:52


    According to a King's College London report published last week the UK has been underreporting nitazene-related deaths by up to a third. Why has the UK become a hotspot for the extremely potent opioid?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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